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THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE

2 nd Year History. THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE. Background. Most landlords protestant. Many absentee. Large farmers (30 acres +). Sublet to small farmers and cottiers . Spalpeens were wandering labourers. The Workhouse.

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THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE

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  1. 2nd Year History THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE

  2. Background • Most landlords protestant. • Many absentee. • Large farmers (30 acres +). • Sublet to small farmers and cottiers. • Spalpeens were wandering labourers.

  3. The Workhouse • Country divided into Poor Law Unions and each had a workhouse. • Only the really badly off would go there (families split up, like prison).

  4. Causes • Rise in population • Subdivision of land • Dependence on the potato • The Blight

  5. What was done? • 1845 Peel’s government bought maize (Indian corn) and set up Public Works Schemes. • 1846 Russel’s liberal government did not want to interfere and abandoned the above.

  6. Soup kitchens • Soup kitchens were set up by the Quakers and the government but the government abandoned the idea in 1847. • The workhouses catered for 200000 and eventually were allowed provide soup kitchens.

  7. Results • 1 million died of disease and starvation • 1 million emigrated by 1851 (coffin ships) • Push and pull causes left 4 million by 1900 • Decline of Irish language • Subdivision ended • New catholic landlords • Hatred for Britain

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